Player to watch offense: RB/return
specialist Duke Johnson – The 'Canes’ dynamic tailback exploded onto the
scene as a freshman in 2012. The former Miami Norland standout earned multiple
freshman All-American honors -- as well as ACC Rookie of the Year -- after rushing
for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 6.81 yards per carry. Johnson, who
broke UM star Clinton Portis’ school freshman rushing record, also tallied a
pair of kickoff return touchdowns and will again run behind a massive offensive
line returning all five starters and plenty of experience (3 seniors, 2
juniors).

Player to watch defense: DE Shayon
Green – Miami’s injury-maligned defensive end finished first on the team in
tackles in 2012, but the senior failed to record a single sack while also
collecting just three quarterback hurries. With Eddie Johnson kicked off the
team, an already porous ‘Canes defense will need a new playmaker to emerge.
Green has shown flashes of productivity throughout his career, but he’s
struggled to stay on the field with multiple ACL injuries and a broken wrist.

2013 Outlook: Hopeful

Finally
(maybe) eligible to compete for a conference title, the Hurricanes are the
early favorites to win the newly expanded ACC Coastal Division. With a
high-octane attack led by junior quarterback Stephen Morris (3,345 yards, 21
TDs), Johnson and a quintet of young and explosive pass catchers, UM’s offense
is expected to carry the load early as sorts out its defensive question marks. Morris, who broke Bernie Kosar’s school record for total offense (3,415 yards) -- was an All-ACC performer in 2012 and is considered one of the top returning
signal callers in the country.

The Hurricanes haven’t won 10 or more games in a
decade, and despite a navigable schedule, things won’t change if their defense
continues to yield points at an alarming rate. Defensive coordinator Mark
D’Onofrio managed to keep his job even though his unit surrendered 40+ points
three times and 30 or more points seven times. The ‘Canes were awful against
both the run and pass, finishing No. 115 nationally in sacks (13) and No. 114
in rushing defense (217.9 yards/gm). Miami isn’t devoid of defensive talent -- especially with the likes of linebacker Denzel Perryman, Green and defensive
lineman Anthony Chickillo (team-leading 4.0 sacks) -- but it’s a unit without a lot of direction.

If you had Kelvin Taylor as Florida’s second-leading rusher
-- 43 yards on five carries -- in Saturday’s win over Toledo, kudos.

Taylor -- an early enrollee -- starred in UF’s Orange &
Blue Debut in the spring, but the freshman’s monumental expectations were
promptly tempered during a frustrating training camp due to issues in pass
protection, ball security and general system knowledge.

While Taylor was never in the coaches’ doghouse, the
freshman was buried on the depth chart as others (Mack Brown, Mark Herndon,
Valdez Showers) emerged. A potential redshirt season -- IMO, it was nothing
more than a motivational ploy -- was discussed publicly by Will Muschamp.

But after Saturday’s strong debut in the fourth quarter --
an especially delightful treat for the fans who battled the heat and stuck
around for Florida’s final drive -- Taylor’s progress was addressed by
Muschamp, who admitted the freshman has made great strides of late.

“I think his role will continue to develop through the
season. We’ll see how much as we move forward. He’s a natural runner, he has
really good vision. He has to continue to do some of the other things you have
to do at the position. But he’s a guy we’re excited about, no question.”

Florida’s coach added, “No question, you continue to see the
improvement. I kind of look at Matt Jones last year. He was a guy early in the
year did some nice things for us, then he hit a little bit of a freshman lull.
When I asked him last week in front of the whole team for the freshmen and the
young players what was the difference in you playing more later in the year and
being more productive. And he just laughed. He said, ‘I was able to stay awake
in the meetings. I practiced better. I knew what to do at practice. I executed
my assignments and gave the coaches confidence to play me.’ It was totally him.
I just asked him. Like Matt in those situations, he says the exact same thing
you want him to say.”

Muschamp stressed the importance of practice for younger
players -- even exceptionally talented ones -- including a not-so-subtle jab at
the previous regime at Florida.

“My point being to the young players was if you don’t know
what to do and struggle to know your assignments and if you don’t give us
confidence on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, you’ll never play. You’ve
never seen them do it on that stage. Some of the older players, I can
deal with them busting an assignment on Tuesday because I’ve seen them do it on
Saturday afternoon. Some of those young guys, I’ve never seen them do it
before. I am young, but I’m old-fashioned. You will play like you practice, I
do believe that. And you do have to
practice here now. That’s part of the deal.”(emphasis mine)